Veterans Day
Veterans Day, celebrated every November 11th, is an opportunity to honor and appreciate the veterans who have served our country. It’s important to note that Veterans Day is different from Memorial Day, which honors those who have died in military service, and Armed Forces Day, which celebrates those currently serving. We’ve come up with some Veterans Day activities for each domain of wellness to help you celebrate the veterans you know and to give an opportunity for those who did not serve to connect with the veterans in their community.
Physical Domain
Seated Soldier’s Exercise Regime: For veterans or older adults with limited mobility, a modified version of a classic soldier’s exercise routine can provide an accessible way to engage in physical wellness. Exercises like chair push-ups, seated crunches, seated marching, and light weightlifting (for instance, using a backpack as a weight to lift off the ground) can be adapted to different ability levels. These exercises focus on strength and endurance while keeping movements simple and safe for all participants. Incorporating calisthenics or stretches ensures everyone can participate and feel connected to the physical training veterans have experienced. Add some military cadences to really incorporate the theme.
Intellectual Domain
Themed Puzzles and Word Games: Veterans Day can also be an opportunity to engage minds with themed puzzles and word games related to military history, branches of service, or famous veterans. Crossword puzzles, trivia games, and word searches are all fun and intellectually stimulating ways to honor the day. These types of activities can be adapted to different cognitive levels, encouraging problem-solving while also sparking conversations about military history and service. The Holiday Zone have printable puzzles and worksheets that can be accessed for free for personal use.
Spiritual Domain
Veteran’s Day Ceremony: A Veterans Day ceremony is a chance to reflect on the deep spiritual strength that veterans demonstrate. Ceremonies like this often include prayers, hymns, readings, music, a symbolic flag raising, a missing man table and certificates or pins to recognize the veterans in the audience. A meaningful symbol often included in Veterans Day ceremonies is the red poppy, which has become a universal emblem of remembrance. This tradition began after World War I, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae, where poppies bloomed across the battlefields of Europe. The poppy represents the bloodshed and sacrifices of soldiers, and wearing or displaying poppies on Veterans Day honors all those who have served, acknowledging both their courage and the sacrifices made. We’ve taken the liberty of writing a whole ceremony that incorporates these various aspects. If you would prefer to write your own, our friend Shelly over at Life In Color has an amazing guide on how to lead a non-denominational church service.
For those who prefer a non-religious ceremony, incorporating personal stories or quotes about service and sacrifice will create a reflective atmosphere. You could also invite a local speaker to lead the ceremony. Consider contacting organizations like your local hospice, the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for further guidance or for resources to provide recognition items like pins and certificates. We Honor Veterans has recognition certificate templates for the different military branches.
Social Domain
Veterans Day Meal with Local Veterans: Nothing brings people together quite like sharing a meal. Organize a special Veterans Day meal and invite local veterans to join in the celebration. By creating a space where veterans can socialize and share their experiences, you’ll foster connection and camaraderie. This is also a fantastic opportunity to involve the broader community in recognizing veterans’ service. Coordinate with local restaurants or veteran groups for discounts or free meals as a way to show appreciation. Military.com has a list of participating restaurant chains but we also encourage you to reach out to local businesses!
Vocational Domain
Veterans’ Parade: Plan a Veterans Day parade that concludes at a Veterans Wall, where participants can write thank-you notes, pin pictures of family members who served, or leave messages of gratitude. Whether it's a small gathering or a larger community event, this project allows people to give back in a tangible way, which supports vocational wellness by instilling a sense of purpose. This also creates a meaningful, interactive display that allows people to contribute in honor of the veterans in their lives. Paper Mart has a cute and simple DIY Veterans Honor Wall that can be made with your loved one.
Emotional Domain
Volunteer at a Veteran’s Peer Support Group: Volunteering or engaging in peer support groups for veterans can be an incredibly emotional and fulfilling experience. These groups provide veterans—and their loved ones—with the opportunity to share their experiences, reflect on their journeys, and offer mutual support. If there isn't a peer group nearby, consider hosting your own or volunteering at a local veteran’s center. By creating spaces for emotional expression, we can provide veterans with the opportunity to heal, connect, and receive the support they deserve. There are multiple websites that can help you find a local group, such as The Wounded Warrior Project and Blue Star Families.
The U.S Department of Veteran’s Affairs is also a great resource. This page discusses various ways to support veterans, their families and those suffering from PTSD.
